NY 855895
SEP 27 1990
CLA-2-90:S:N:N1:104 855895
Mr. Leon Pauksta
Nichimen America Inc.
225 North Michigan Avenue - Suite 2322
Chicago, Illinois 60601-5983
RE: The tariff classification of scratch testers from Japan.
Dear Mr. Pauksta:
In your letter dated August 28, 1990 you requested a tariff
classification ruling.
The CSR-01 scratch tester is designed to measure the peeling
load of hard film while the CSR-02 is used to evaluate the
tribological and adhesion properties of very thin films. A
phonograph cartridge designed for the system is used as the
sensing unit; a diamond cone, polished to a certain radius, is
used as the stylus which is placed on the surface of the film and
scratches the film surface as the cartridge vibrates. A
frictional force is generated and detected as an output voltage.
Until the film is broken, the relationship between the load of
the stylus and the output voltage is equal to the relationship
between the load and frictional forces. When the film is
broken,,the breakage is detected as distortion of the output
waveform, from which the type of breakage and the critical load
can be analyzed. The system includes the main measuring unit, a
sub unit (motor drive, power supply, cartridge vibration, signal
processing and interface) a CPU, a CRT and a plotter.
The applicable subheading for the scratch testers will be
9024.80.0000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTS), which provides for machines and appliances for testing the
hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other
mechanical property of materials other than metal. The rate of
duty will be 4.8 percent ad valorem.
This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Section
177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177).
A copy of this ruling letter should be attached to the entry
documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If the
documents have been filed without a copy, this ruling should be
brought to the attention of the Customs officer handling the
transaction.
Sincerely,
Jean F. Maguire
Area Director
New York Seaport